Niger Delta
Edo, Delta FRSC Arrest 4,351 Traffic Offenders
About 4,351 traffic offenders have been arrested for 5,061 offences between April and May by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), zone Rs5, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra.
The Zonal Commanding Officer, in charge of the zone, Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide’s source on Monday in Benin.
Kumapayi said though three states make up the zone, the figure was, however, recorded from two states, Edo and Delta.
He explained that this was because patrol operations in Anambra had been suspended temporarily, due to incessant attack on FRSC personnel and facilities in the State.
“Patrol operations are going on in the zone as scheduled, but we have had to suspend that in Anambra due to insecurity and incessant attack on our personnel and facilities by unknown gunmen.
“What we do in Anambra now is more or less traffic control, public education and advocacy visits. But as soon as situation improves, we will resume enforcement,” he said.
Kumapayi also disclosed that within the period under review, the zone recorded 43 persons killed in 83 road traffic crashes.
He explained that whereas 51 crashes were recorded in April with 21 persons killed, in May, however, 29 crashes were recorded with 22 persons killed.
“You can see that road traffic crashes drastically reduced when you compare the figure from both months, and we want to even bring it down further this month of June till the end of the year.
“This is to enable us achieve the goals for the year which is 15 per cent reduction in road traffic crash fatalities, and we believe it is achievable,” he said.
Kumapayi noted that in view of bringing down road traffic crashes across the zone, efforts were being put in place at curtailing crashes.
According to him, brake failure and excessive speed have been observed to be a major cause of crashes as the rains intensify.
He, therefore, called for the need for motorists to avoid excessive speed, drive with caution and avoid risk taking on the road.
“Drivers should not overtake in a bend, avoid night travel, they should not drink and drive, alcohol and drug is prohibited and should be avoided especially for drivers going on long journeys.
“There is need for them to concentrate on the steering, avoid eating, phone calls and unnecessary discussions with passengers while on the steering, lane discipline must be cultivated and trailers must stay on the slow lane to allow for over taking by smaller vehicles,” he said.
He continued that as directed by the national headquarters, operation ‘Total War on Critical Offenders’ (TOWCO), was being carried out on special days of every month.
Personnel on enforcement, he explained, and rescue services were being trained and retrained, while the hitherto moribund special marshals operations in the zone had been revived.
Kumapayi, who also spoke about the driver’s licence, disclosed that in the first quarter of the year, 27,037 licences were produced for the zone while 26,479 were collected.
According to him, 8,677 have been produced so far in the second quarter.
He, however, said that 63,670 licences produced from more than two years had yet to be collected by their owners.
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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